to perform it in a variety of different places over and over and over. e
training is lifelong."
Pairing up veterans and dogs, which DTB refers to as "teams," is a
multifaceted process that culminates with the two partners innately
gravitating to one another.
"I don't choose for them. e dog and the veteran choose each other,"
Dee De says. "eir needs and my expertise just get it narrowed down."
At DTB, the veterans are responsible for training their own service
dogs with the guidance of the organization's professional trainers.
"e dog and the veteran train together as a team from beginning to
end," Dee De says. "We teach them how to teach the dog in our weekly
classes, and they go home and spend the week practicing those skills
and keeping a daily log."
e team needs to spend a minimum of one hour per day on training,
which is spread throughout the day. Obedience training lasts at least
ten weeks, followed by a minimum of 32 weeks to complete service
animal training.
"We train to standards, not time," Dee De says.
e organization's home base is in Billings, with multiple trainers
strategically stationed throughout the state to help ensure accessibility.
SIGNATURE MONTANA | 61
Getting Down to Business
Photo
by
Eric
Visocan
Photo
by
Eric
Visocan
Dee De is all smiles as she chats with a happy team member.
Service dogs love meeting new friends while they're off the clock.
